Writing a whole novel!

A very daunting thing to do. A whole novel with killer beginning and ending, subplots, twists and turns.
I always used to be a pantser, starting with a basic idea and writing away with no idea where i was going.
I should have known it wasn`t right for me, I am a planner in every other part of my life.
The first novel i actually completed was a romance. It was going round in my head like a film. After about a month of it running over and over i realised it was a fully formed plot. I wrote out a synopsis and started work on it. Six months later it was finished, though a little short at barely 50,000 words. It had some seriously bad writing in there but it was a complete story, still to be edited!
I am a daydreamer and my brain never shuts up! I laugh to myself, talk to myself and can cry when my characters do. I have found the best thing to do is put headphones on so people think something you are listening to is the cause rather than the fact i am stark raving mad!
I have had a full story pop into my head while riding on my bike, complete with characters. They don`t come when it is convenient though.

How To Books

Everyone has an opinion about them. Should you read How to write books?
I think you should read anything you can get your hands on.
You shouldn`t take what you read as gospel. You should write your own way.
I have read some brilliant books. "The Novelists Guide," by Margret Geraghty is my favourite. I never bought it, I borrowed it from the library dozens of times.
I take what i want from them and ignore the parts that i don`t need. I keep a book of prompts that i fill with ideas i come across, just incase i find myself unable to write.
I don`t personally believe in writers block, writing is like exercising, use it or lose it!
I have always worked with pen and paper, I`m sure it will shock some writers to think someone still writes like that! It is making life hard for myself, but it feels right. NaNoWriMo meant i had to work straight to word. It was strange and made me realise how many silly mistakes i make. Writing with pen and paper made me lazy about grammar, something i will have to put serious effort into if i want to be published.

Born To Write

I believe i was born to be a writer.
Everyone in my opinion has something that they dream of being when they are young, but very few follow their dreams.
I knew from an early age i wanted to write. I obsessed over books. I had an overactive imagination. I even tried to make my own using folded paper that my Mum sewed along the fold.
I can`t remember a time when i didn`t think about someday being a Novelist.
Writing is something that takes practice. my early attempts were not great and it was hard not to question my ability to actually write a full manuscript.
I took on a writing class aged 22 and the tutor told me i didn`t want to write novels! I should stick with short stories. I started to wonder if she was right.
After my parents died aged 62 & 60 i started to panic. Life can be short and i wouldn`t want to regret not following my goals.
About 4 years ago a story was buzzing in my head. It was playing out like a film, and i realised i had lots of material for a novel. I wrote a one page  synopsis then started writing the novel. It was a short first draft, but i finished it. The only problem was i had a problem with killing one of my characters so i have not edited it.
Since then after a few plots that didn`t work i started work on my present story. It is a psychological thriller and i have a sequel planned.
I tried NaNoWriMo this year and although i didn`t win i learned alot. I am now excited about finishing my novel.
I set a goal to be published by age 40 and i will be 39 in 3 weeks, I need to get moving!